#don't worry guys he can reclaim it

[lwveless]

i need to smoke a bowl and take two xanax before reading a chapter of arwbfb thank you @clatoera for fighting the war on drugs on the side of drugs

[zzoupz]

don't worry guys he can reclaim

[thesilmarillionblog]

𓏲 𓂃 L o s i n g Y o u

Part: 8

Click here to read the first part.

Summary: Everything was good as a member of Payback and Soldier Boy's secret girlfriend until the team and your relationship with him began to fall apart due to a new member and her developing relationship with Ben right in front of your eyes.

Pairing: Soldier Boy / Reader

Warnings: heavy angst, hurt , language, PTSD, mention of drugs, mention of torture

Word Count: 4674

A/N: English is not my first language.

* This story is inspired by the song "Losing You" by Dream Evil.

You asked Ben again, “What did you do to those people?” while he continued to look at your furious and angered look.

He avoided watching the news and simply replied in a dry voice, “I didn't mean to hurt them. Everything happened so quickly.”

Despite your hopes that, after all this time, he would change a little, you came to the conclusion that his appearance was the only thing that had changed. He was the same guy who hurt everyone around him like they were just insects, never thinking twice about it. He remained the same merciless man who just cared about himself.

You were too ignorant to believe that it was Crimson Countess had drastically changed him, but this was simply another lie you told yourself in defense of Ben's behavior. It was just who he really was.

You talked softly while Butcher continued to watch TV, “How can you even stay the same after all the things that happened to you?”

“I killed the doctor who hurt and tortured you. You already knew; whatever I did for him, he deserved it,” he angrily said, gesturing to you as though he were doing you a favor and somehow trying to convince you.

“Should I feel like a graduate and thank you?” You questioned him bitterly, glaring at him. “You are the reason I spent decades being imprisoned and subjected to torture in vain. You are the reason I am currently homeless and the state's number two foe. How come you're still so blind and self-centered?”

Ben grumbled, “Calm down, baby,” ignoring your inquiries as he roughly grabbed the remote control out of Butcher's hand and flicked through the channels. “We can talk about things at a later time. For now, take a moment to rest.”

Ben continued to stare at the TV and shifted on the couch in an attempt to make himself more comfortable, so you replied, “Don't call me 'baby.'”

“It looks like Tony Montana is going to bed alone tonight.” With a cunning grin, Butcher attempted to reclaim the remote control from Ben's grasp. “Also, don’t be dramatic and so upset, you have a place to stay, you’re not homeless.”

“Tony Montana—who the fuck is he?” Ben muttered, pushing Butcher's hands a little too hard while refusing to give up the remote control. “I’m in charge in here. What I watch, you'll watch too.”

“Hey, you remember our deal, don't you? I'm hoping you won't back down.”

You turned to Butcher and questioned, “What deal?” with a confused gaze on your face when he suddenly started speaking in a serious and mysterious tone.

Ben stepped in immediately and shot Butcher a quick glance, saying, “It's not so important.”

“All right, there's nothing to worry about. Your teammate just promised me that he would help me kill a cunt named Homelander.”

Ben kept shooting Butcher with a deadly look as he immediately spilled the beans.

“I'm not worried about anything,” you cut Butcher off abruptly, averting Ben's tough stare. “Whatever he's up to, he's alone in this. But tell me, what’s deal about.”

“Sweetheart, I don't need your help anyway. You simply stay at home and take care of things while you chill,” Ben said in an amused way, attempting to hide his tiny sense of hurt that came from your coldness.

He didn't intend to include anything that would distress you further, but he couldn't stop remembering the times you supported and fought alongside him. He would never ask you to get involved in the Homelander situation, though, since he knows you've already been through a lot of terrible things. He was also too proud to accept your assistance.

Turning to face you, Butcher added, “You don’t have to be so ruthless. He made the deal to get help from me to save you.”

Butcher believed that, given Homelander's strength, helping him would be beneficial and that it would be great if you would just soften and offer a helping hand. Butcher knew Soldier Boy would be happy to let you fight alongside him, as he was aware that he took your suit from Legend. You were once the strongest superwoman, after all, and he would have a better chance of finally killing Homelander.

Hughie, thankfully, returned to join you with a meal in his hands before you could ask Butcher any more questions. You were so hungry that you didn't even realize it until you smelled pizza. It was all about pleasure, yet even if you starved for decades, you wouldn't die.

Hughie smiled hesitantly and said, “Sorry, I didn't ask you before ordering, but I hope you're okay with pizza.” It's likely that he was the only decent person in the room. You wondered why this person was willing to work with a man like Butcher. He gave off an air of deception.

“Of course it's okay,” you said as soon as you smelled it. You then gave him a graditude look and said, “Thanks a lot.”

Ben quickly got up, tossed the remote control in Butcher's face, and grabbed the pizza from Hughie's hands as he sat next to you before you could move. Ben stepped closer, spreading his legs a little and making contact with your thighs, but you put some distance between you two right away. You didn’t understand why he was acting like that out of the blue, but you didn’t ask anything.

None of you spoke, even though you felt Ben's gaze briefly lingering on you. Although you were unsure of what Ben truly wanted from you, you were determined to learn from your past mistakes. Therefore, it was best to clarify it for him as well.

Upon seeing Noir's visual on TV, you exclaimed in shock, “Is Noir still working for Vought?”

That was the moment you understood. Earving never came to save you. If he just wanted to, you knew he could and would find you. You could understand why he might not have wanted to take the risk of going through the same things with you if he had a legitimate reason for not saving you. You had no right to be selfish. However, you were certain that you would behave differently if he were in your place. You therefore couldn't help but feel a little let down.

Ben angrily remarked, “Of course he does,” as he watched you devour the pizza. “He wouldn't even take his shit without the permission of Vought. Fucking traitor. He didn't even give a fuck about the things you went through all those years. I had no doubts that he was going to abuse your friendship. There was always something sneaky about him.”

You couldn’t left out a small hiss as Ben started to talk about loyalty.

“All right,” you replied, casting him a piercing glance. “I got used to being betrayed.”

He aggressively exclaimed, “Don't compare me with that son of a bitch,” and launched into a self-defense tirade. “I came to save you too as soon as I was free, and I looked for you everywhere.”

“How could I ever compare you with him while I know you are worse. And yes, Ben, you're quite considerate to have searched me in the Countess' home. Many thanks for it.”

“I payed a visit to her because I knew she was most probably the one tricked you. It was nothing else.”

“Whatever,” you said back harshly. “I don’t care anyways.”

Butcher interrupted you after making a brief phone call in the kitchen, saying, “Listen here, Bonnie and Clyde. Hughie and I need to get out and meet some buddies, but if you're not going to make trouble and if you don't want to fuck in peace all night, it's best if you don't stay at home. In every other case of emergency, you need to join us.”

You hurriedly swallowed the large slice of pizza and gasped, “We won't... I mean, we wouldn't,” to Butcher. Your cheeks flushed. “It's not like we're together or anything, so don't misinterpret and talk like this, please.”

Ben leaned back to the coach and said, “Well, I'm all in, baby,” pleased to see you flushed and in a panic. “Keep in mind that. Since I'm free, I didn't even fucking jerk off once. You can use me however you like,” he stated, stretching his legs and making an attempt to brush against you briefly while grinning genuinely and invitingly.

You grumbled, “I'm trying to enjoy my meal here,” ignoring the absolute filth that was flowing from his mouth.

“All right, that's OK.” Butcher urged you to complete your dinner, saying, “You can continue eating where we go. We must leave in five minutes.”

Ben growled, “Don't fucking order her around.”

“It's fine,” you stopped eating right away. “Where we're going to go?”

“We have to get some Temp-V from Hughie's friend. It appears that we will need to use it soon,” Butcher replied, glancing at Ben. “Unfortunately, you can't beat Homeland with just one guy.”

Ben did not even respond to Butcher's crap; he only rolled his eyes. He was aware that Homelander would be the easiest to take down. He was Soldier Boy, and someone of Butcher's age wouldn't fully get who he was.

You and Ben were seated in the back of Butcher's car, and Ben was covering the whole place almost as if he wanted you to lean into his body. He was always on the move, both his hands and his legs, and occasionally you would think he looked a bit bashful if you didn't know just how arrogant he really was. Somehow, you sensed the uncertainty, but you didn't look him up or ask him questions.

You couldn't help but feel confused and depressed as you gazed out of the car window at the enormous, gleaming structures. You no longer felt like you belonged in the world because so many years had passed in a tiny little cage. It seemed as though no one knew you, cared about you, or you had no place to stay. It's not your world, but rather other people's, that you see when you peek out the window.

You said, “Everything looks so different,” as a sense of melancholy took over you.

“Not at all,” Ben remarked in an arrogant tone, as if he had figured out everything in a single day. “I've learned many things; I will teach you all; don't worry.”

You challenged him, casting him a skeptical glance. “What do you know?”

“Well, I might teach you a thing or two because you're too eager to learn. For instance, GPS and the Internet were quite helpful in helping us learn about you and the place you were kept,” he added with pride as he smiled at you and waited for your reaction.

You whispered, “You're just making those words up,” unsure if he was trying to trick you.

“Those words are real words. I had said the same to that fuckface; believe me, sweetheart,” he continued, giving Hughie a harsh shoulder pat. “Hand over your damn android phone to me.”

Hughie murmured in distress, “Oh, God,” as Butcher nodded awkwardly and gave him an odd look. “Just don’t break it or something, please.”

Hughie handed his phone reluctantly to Ben, who took it with a swift move, and Ben used it like a pro, tapping the screen quickly. When he wrote down his name and yours on the screen called 'Google', your eyes widened open as you saw a ton of images and details about the two of you, Payback, and everything else.

Captivated by what Ben showed you, you muttered, “Everything about us is written down there.”

“See,” he declared with pride, chuckling at your bewildered response. “I told you I was very well-informed. The name of this one is Internet.”

You challenged him again, interested in learning more about this small device, which seemed to know a lot of things. The modern world is unquestionably something else, with easy access to knowledge at any time and about any subject matter.

“I am familiar with social media. If you don't want to be identified by your real identity, you can put up a fake profile and follow anybody you want. I made one for the two of us as well.” Ben responded, seeming proud of everything he had achieved with a cunning smile on his face.

You pretended to understand everything he said as you asked, “And what's your fake name?”

“It’s ‘soldierboyy/n69.' Pretty creative, isn't it?”

“Oh my gosh, Ben,” you said, pushing the phone and his hands in an annoyed tone as your face turned red. “Everyone will know that it is you. I shall be accused of having once again supported your actions if they find out the identity of your account. Why do you act so carelessly?”

“Everyone has those fake names,” Ben said, grimacing at how much you disapproved of what he had done. Nobody will find out because I'm not using it anyway."

He intended to show you that he never thought of himself apart from you and that he thought of you even while he was setting up the account, but all he managed was to distress and upset you once more. Observing your defensively crossed arms on your chest, he sighed and moved his strong arms to your seat in an attempt to get close to you.

“How are you so sure?” you asked as he handed over the phone to Hughie in a rude manner.

“Because that's the way the modern world works, sweetheart. Nothing and anyone are real when it comes to Internet.”

“Indeed,” Butcher said, glancing at the two of you through the mirror. “He is right; no one will find out. It's not really a big deal; trust me, if it were, I would have problems as well because of him.”

You cut it short, closing your eyes and lowering your head to the seat. “Okay,” you mumbled.

It was as though some odd numbness overcame your body, leaving you exhausted and unbalanced even after decades of sleep. It was most likely due to the quantity of sleep that your body became accustomed to, and it's also possible that you were experiencing a side effect from what you experienced in the lab. Nonetheless, it didn't concern you because you knew you still had your strength. You only needed to get a bit more rest. As you closed your eyes to give your body a break until you got there, you inhaled deeply.

You slowly opened your eyes, feeling Ben's gentle touch on your cheek, and heard him say, “You really turned into sleeping beauty, didn't you?” in a lighthearted manner.

“Have we arrived?” you muttered as you opened your eyes and noticed his intense gaze on you. The moment Butcher and Hughie slammed the car door, you immediately fully came to your senses.

Ben nodded, confused, not knowing how to react to your coldness as you gently moved his hands away from your face.

Ben and you had just followed Butcher and Hughie to the small, slightly desolate house. You looked around the room, and the other two women, who were glancing at you warily, exchanged glances. You could tell they were supes, just like you, from the whiff of Comp-V in their scents. You were a little nervous because you had no idea what their intentions were toward you. You had no friends or someone to rely on anymore, and you were a stranger to everything after all.

“Ladies, how are you doing here?” Butcher grabbed a glass of whiskey from the kitchen and inquired as he sat down right away on the closest couch.

“I can't believe you and you especially you Hughie,” the blonde remarked angrily. “You two really set them both free, and you forced me to take so much Temp-V; we're going to be caught. It's only a matter of time.”

“So you're the supe woman that bottom-faced guy pounding?” Ben aggressively exclaimed, pushing the short-haired man to the right while he snatched a cola from the refrigerator. “And the one who works for Vought when you're not getting off and doing other things.”

“Stop it, Ben,” you said in a warned tone as his abrupt aggression caused the air to thicken.

“Why don't we just sit down and have a nice chat?” Hughie looked at you anxiously, as if you wanted to soothe Ben before anything happened.

“Relax, sweetheart,” he said, flashing you a cunning grin when he spotted you approaching him, and you gave him a cold look while he sipped his coke in joy.

“Well, Annie, that it wasn't in vain. Soldier Boy and I struck very useful bargain, didn't we?” Butcher inquired, glancing back to Ben with a sly smile. “We're going to kill Homelander together.”

You felt uneasy, and your thoughts turned to the Homelander once again. Even if you didn't care about Ben at all, you couldn't help but feel concerned because you were both strangers to Vought and the outside world now that Ben had gotten into so much trouble. Not only did you not want to return to the lab, but you also didn't want Ben to go through the same painful experiences. Even though he had been vile to you, you didn't want him to suffer forever in Russia.

Annie replied, “You should have told me, Hughie,” casting a disappointed glare at her boyfriend. “You’re so acting strangely these days.”

Hughie insecurely responded, “I know, I know,” rubbing her cheeks. “And I’m really sorry for it. It won’t happen again.”

The man with short hair said, “You all know that they both are being searched by the government, right?”

Butcher shot back, “Of course we all fucking know that, Frenchie.”

Annie looked at you and said, “Well, I guess Y/N's situation is worse,” while you stood by Ben, watching him carefully to make sure he didn't suddenly lose his temper and start some serious drama. “Well, she's a known traitor after all.”

You immediately defended yourself by saying, “I'm not a traitor,” and you were enraged at her haughty demeanor. Despite her lack of knowledge, she was constantly talking about things she had no idea about. “Vought only spread lies and caused us pain in order to build up the next generation, which is your generation. They tortured me for years just because I wanted to quit.”

Annie's expression softened as she realized that Vought would do something like that and that she was having trouble as well in Seven. She then apologized to you by looking at you and sincerely saying, “I'm sorry to hear that.”

She went on, making an effort to get you to see how complicated the situation was, saying, “But you need to understand that no one will believe you. For all this time, you have been regarded as a spy for the entire world. The same remains for Soldier Boy.”

“What is your point?” Ben cut her off with a harsh voice.

Ben was becoming mad at those morons; they were just some stupid kids who liked to order other kids around, but he was a man, a true leader, the strongest supe to live, and they had no idea what him and you had been through or who had been in charge decades earlier. He was already becoming a little tense about that blonde's cunning ideas, so he realized he had to proceed with caution going forward. He had to watch out for you too, in order to keep you safe.

With defensive hands on her hips, Annie retorted, “The thing is, it's best if you don't see each other for a while. I can help you spend a week in various secure locations, separated.”

Ben abruptly tensed up, enraged that the blonde had already made plans in her cunning mind to keep him away from you. “No fucking way,” he said. He was certain that those fucked-brains would propose something so incredibly moronic.

Even if it made sense, you realized those new guys weren't to be trusted as they were strangers. It was true that you needed some alone time apart from Ben, but for the time being, it was preferable to ignore what you’re told.

“Everyone is talking about what happened in New York and Ohio,” Annie said furiously. “I’m just asking you two be hidden for a week. Everything’s already complicated in Vought and I have my own problems.”

“Look, sneaky woman,” Ben hissed, “I don’t give fuck about your problems or anything at all. If you ever suggest such thing, you won’t have a head to think such idiotic things anymore. I’m warning you.”

“Ben, you need to calm down,” you said. You scowled at the feeling that his chest was unusually heated compared to normal. 

Frenchie agreed, saying, “Y/N is right; there is no need to fight each other.” The supe woman next to him smiled and patted his shoulders.

Butcher responded, “Annie is right too, though,” as he examined the Temp-V carefully on his lap. “Too much attention has been paid to Soldier Boy during the past three days. We are also doomed if he is seen soon enough.”

“They could be right,” you acknowledged, nodding to Butcher, understanding that his points were reasonable. Since you and Ben were currently the state's number one and two foes, you also didn't want to get into any sort of trouble.

Ben cursed, “Fuck that,” and he gave Butcher a menacing stare. He got offended at the fact that you instantly agreed with them but not with him. “I didn't realize I had done business with so many jerks. If you're that afraid of what's ahead, I might accept your suggestion, but Y/N is staying with me.”

“Calm down, buddy. Why are you so obsessed?” Butcher questioned, putting the bag down from his lap.

When you realized Ben was about to start an argument without reason, you asked him, “Why are you being like this?” in an irritated tone.

“Are you saying that you're prepared to follow those fuckfaces' instructions?” While you could tell he was angry, he inquired quietly, “What's wrong with you?”

Ben set down the coke and paid no attention to Butcher's irritating remarks. Instead, his attention was drawn to you. The fact that you didn't trust him but did trust the new people you had met most disturbed him. It was not them who saved you, but it was him who considered your safety and future. Still, you were ready to follow what they had to say. You'd been away from each other for a long time, so there was no reason to spend another minute separately.

“I'm not saying anything, Ben. I just want you to quit being irrationally dissatisfied and to be reasonable.”

Butcher sighed as he watched you start to debate, but Annie grasped Hughie's arm and guided him to another room to have a conversation.

Ben stated, “I'm not getting angry for no reason,” while attempting to stay controlled.

Despite Ben was desperate to touch you, he restrained himself since he knew that you two needed to have discussed the situation before acting on it. How in the world was he supposed to talk to you properly after a week apart? “I'm just saying, we don't have to spend a week alone and separated,” Ben said with a low voice.

Your eyes wandered around everywhere except for him.

“I'm not sure, Ben,” you teased him, feeling hesitant about his response. “Maybe we should.”

“How can you be sure that those people won't imprison you to a metal box once more? Do you really want to go back to that lab? You're saying you have faith in them, but not in me?”

You angrily gasped, “Don't you ever talk to me about trust. I would never make the same mistake by trusting you again.”

He tried to calm himself down, saying, “I'm the only one who saved you,” but the heat inside his chest kept growing.

“Will you stop arguing?” Butcher got up and asked, watching Ben trap you against the kitchen table while grinning at Ben and sipping his whiskey. “She obviously wants to be by herself for a while. Would you please just accept her decision and let her to enjoy herself?”

Ben angrily remarked, “Mind your fucking own business; we are fucking having a conversation here.”

You stopped disputing with him and cast a puzzled glance at his chest as soon as you felt the warmth in his chest increasing once more.

Butcher said, “It's like you're forcing her for something she doesn't want to though. Don't be such a drama queen,” ignoring Frenchie's warnings. “She might just want to spend time alone in a nice place and fuck with some hot dudes, savor the time she missed all those years.”

Ben snarled, turning to face Butcher and ignoring you this time. “Watch your fucking language," he growled. “If you say one more word, I fucking swear I'll rip your heads off.”

Ben's chest began to glow suddenly before he could finish his sentence, and your eyes widened, sensing the anxiety and the heat coming from his body.

“Ben,” you whispered quietly, uneasy with his rage and the anguish on his face, as if he tried to maintain self-control.

With an expression of fright on his face, Frenchie and the supe woman next to him also retreated a step. “Calm down, buddy,” Butcher muttered. “Let's not cause another accident. You've already done enough damage, huh. ”

But Ben's chest continued to glow, alerting you. “Hey, what's wrong with you?” you asked as you walked up to him, stroking his arms and then his face and making him to look at you.

He snarled, “I can't hold it,” and shoved your hands away right away. “Stay away from me.”

Instead of following commands, you remained in the same spot and continued to massage his upper arms in an effort to soothe him though you got extremely anxious. Then, in the hopes of calming him down a little, you put your hands on his burning, hot chest. Even if there was smoke slightly arising from his body, your hands felt chilly.

You whispered, “It's okay,” feeling his temperature drop beneath your fingertips gradually.

Next Chapter

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A/N: Comments and reblogs are very appreciated! -`♡´-

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Let me know if you want to be tagged for this series. -`♡´-

[voidcat]

umemiya hajime who cares even in the smallest of ways and always keeps an eye on.

i'd like to think, be it bofurin's early days of reclaiming the town's trust or current times, whenevr something big goes, and everyone's cheering in unision, you'd stand by the corner or by a shop and watch- with a smile on your face and happy for everyone too but too shy, maybe too lost in your head to join everyone else.

maybe something grows within time, as you watch over and over again just what a big and warm heart umemiya carries on his sleeve, always on the lookout for everyone- making you yearn for his gaze just a little too.

and he'd notice, as he always does, and because he always wishes for the best for his beloved town and its people. so he makes sure to always linger by your spot- if he catches on quickly that you don't want to be a part of the big crowd physically, not yet, he'll respect that and make sure to still stop by and strike conversation when it's all quitened down. make a mental note when you mention your favorite fruit in passing, making sure to grow some and harvest them for you, when the sweet baker down the street gives him yet another bag of baked delicacies, he will always save your favorite warm and quickly bring it to you. noticing the signs of stress on your person and making it a habit to keep your hand in his when he has noticed you biting your nails or playing with your hair too much again.

it all happens down the line, out of your control, before you can even realize. yet are you to blame yourself when umemiya is /just like that/, so endaring, caring, kind and thoughtful, making it impossible to not fall for him? now you have to live with the knowledge of this too, keep it cool whenever he's talking with you- because the chances of a man returning your feelings feels so out of reach that you never dare approach the topic, happy with the friendship the two of you have built.

but umemiya is not a patient guy-- and when he falls, he falls hard. there is no time for yearning, aching or waiting around. before you can even register what's going on, his expression worrying you, until he blurts out a bunch of things at once, leaving you short circuited, and all you can catch are "wanting to see you smile and light up the world for the rest of my life". arms wrapped tight around your frame and burying his face to you, he doesn't even allow you to breathe, let alone think.

by the time he has come down from his high, and you from the shock of it all, you nod at his big pleading eyes, mustering up a quiet "yes" and in his words; you've just made him the happiest man alive.

[biasbuck]

BiAsBuck’s ficrec Fridays

We're so back baby! Happy weekend everyone, apologies for the delay whilst I've been away travelling. I HAVE been reading lots on my trains however, so here's another round of the fic I've been reading this fortnight whilst not actively flailing over the glorious new episodes. As always you can find previous rec lists here. Some light spoilers for new episodes.

6 October 2024

still the bone remembers, still it wants by @eddiebabygirldiaz in which 'Eddie goes to therapy and learns how to want. Buck helps.' Ohhh I absolutely adored following along on this ride as a wip and now it's complete in all its glory! From his childhood responsibilities looking after his sisters, through the events of season 4 and 5, Eddie struggles with identifying what he wants in life, and Frank gives him homework to make a list of simple desires for just himself. What follows is a beautiful journey of unpacking what's in his heart, with the most gorgeously in love and enamoured Buddie. The imagery in this fic melted me, from the orange tree to dancing and more. Indulgent in the best possible way. I'm still swooning from how much they love and laugh together!

tell you my sins (sharpen your knife) by @sonofatoasterwaffle from sweetness to....Hot Priest Smut! (And yet somehow, still sweet?!) This is gloriously fun and filthy and a little tongue in cheek crack treated seriously, in which Eddie deals with his recognition of his feelings for Buck by fucking a Priest about it....and makes Fleabag eat her heart out. It's 'for anyone who dreams about reclaiming pieces of the religion that hurt them in a fun and sexy way.' Featuring incredibly funny Bobby along the way. Poor guy.

oh what a terrible honor it's been (to learn that my blessings are things you call sins) by @capseycartwright on the other end of the Catholic Guilt explorations comes this 'Hey God, it's me, Eddie. I hope you don’t mind that I’m sitting in your house thinking gay thoughts.' In which Eddie seeks various methods of support in dealing with the fallout from season 7, from therapy to a veterans group to reexamining his childhood and his relationship with God. Really beautifully achey and cathartic and uplifting.

Take My Oxygen (This Plane is Going Down) by @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels ahhh I had so much fun reading this! Buck is a succubus, and the firefam a mix of fae and humans in the know about the magical world. Eddie is a new recruit, and he can't help but find Buck mesmerising as they become best friends. But Buck has been coping with his inadvertently fatal (to his partners) natural state through a series of unhealthy mechanisms and it's taking its toll. When we say Eddie would step over the body to help support Buck...this is this fic! And yet it's also so supportive and sexy and a weaves in canon in such surprisingly effective ways!

the moon don't hang quite as high by @glorious-spoon in which 'after Bobby and Chris leave, Buck breaks up with his boyfriend, tries not to punch his new boss, and worries about Eddie.' I am so incredibly obsessed with the dialogue in this fic, it captures Buck and Eddie's voices and idiosyncrasies so well and the patter of their banter and friendly bickering, particularly how weird they are about their own and each others relationships (affectionate.)

The Write Way To Love by @spotsandsocks this was such a cute AU, in which Buck is an anxious children's fantasy author and Chris (and Eddie) are some of his biggest fans. Running an art competition for children to submit their drawings to be printed in his next book, the elusive E. Buckley makes a rare public appearance and bumps into single Dad Eddie, where sparks fly. Can Buck get over the voice in his head self sabotaging his path to happiness? This fic hit very close to home and I had so much fun reading it, and loved Christopher's voice in it so much!

a sweetheart (to hold when i'm alone) by @clusterbuck at all times on my Give That Man A Cat agenda, directly following on from the zoom call in 8x01, Eddie finds a stray in his back yard, adopts her and falls in love. Things might not be healed with Chris but perhaps they can take tentative steps forward. Eddie holding on to the mask even as it fractures, and yet not giving up, finding inner strength and outlets for all the love he holds in his heart.

cool dry place by @gayeddieagenda 'After a long summer, Buck and Eddie try to figure out if this is the right time.' Another which just nailed the voices so well, I love the patience of this fic, a really lovely look at restraint and allowing grace time to heal and feel surety, without punishing characters for needing time, and with a beautiful sense of precipice for a new relationship.

And finally two tumblr fics from @hotshotsxyz, the taste of iron a powerful alternate ending following 8x01 (what if Buck hadn't tackled Gerrard) with a brilliantly effective mirroring of the shooting arc, and a hilarious Brad Torrence POV fic from 8x02 this method acting (might pay our bills) in which we hear his inner monologue whilst riding in the back of the stolen fire engine with Bobby and Buck. Perfection!

That's it for this week, bee seeing you soon after Athena and Jem land this plane!

[sorinethemastermind]

Only One Tent

You've heard of the only one bed trope, but what about only one tent and no bed? Aka the "Yes, you can use me as a pillow" prompt won the poll. #Sorvus

 Soren had shared a tent with Corvus before. One of the first things King Ezran had done after reclaiming the throne had been to travel across Katolis; visiting every town and hamlet, no matter how small. Soren had accompanied him, of course. It was his duty as a Crownguard to ensure that the king remained safe. And though Corvus hadn't been a member of the guard at the time, he had traveled with them anyway. Their trusty guide to the woods and wilds of Katolis.

 He was such a tree guy. It was kind of cute.

 For the first week or so of their travels Corvus had insisted on sleeping outside, saying that the stars made a better roof than a canvas tent. Soren had tried to point out that the whole thing with stars was that there was no roof, but Corvus had just rolled his eyes and claimed that he was missing the point. 

 However as they'd traveled further north the nights had become colder, and eventually even Corvus had been forced to admit that the stars didn’t trap heat as well as good old canvas. So Soren had offered to share his tent with him. And, though he'd declined the offer at first, it hadn't been long before the pair of them were pressed back to back in Soren's tent, savoring each other's warmth as the snow fell outside. It had been warm, cozy, and wonderful.

 And somehow less uncomfortable and awkward than whatever it was they were doing now.

 Soren glanced over at Corvus from his side of the tent. The other man sat on the opposite side of the small canvas room, knees drawn up to his chest and arms folded. As much distance between them as there could be in the cramped little space.

 Soren cleared his throat. "Don't you think we should be helping? I feel like we should be helping."

 "King Ezran told you to rest." Corvus reminded him, barely sparing him a glance. Soren wondered if it was because of how many times he'd had to say that, or if it was something else. Like, maybe, he didn't know; the fact that they had kissed twenty minutes ago and the king had walked in on it.

 "But don't you think-"

 "King Ezran." Corvus repeated, putting extra emphasis on the words this time." Told you to rest."

 Soren let out a loud hmph. Ezran had said a lot of things. Like how the destruction of Katolis wasn't his fault. And how there was nothing more he could have done. And how the people were lucky to have had him there when they did. And those just obviously weren't true. So then, maybe he didn't need to rest either?

 "Why don't you get some sleep?" Corvus urged him gently, shifting a little bit closer. Soren looked up at him through the curtain of blond hair that had fallen across his face. He hadn't realized his head was drooping. 

 Straightening up, he rolled his shoulders. "Nah, I'm fine."

 "You haven't slept in nearly two days."

 "But." Soren pointed out. "I have drunk more hot brown morning potion in those two days than any other. So I'm wide awake! Really, we shouldn't even be in here. We should be out helping."

 He began to reach for the tent flap, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. His friend's - boyfriend's? - grip squeezed slightly as he spoke.

 "Soren. Are you okay?"

 The question caught him off guard.

 No. He was not okay. But people didn’t usually ask so he didn’t usually have to lie. Anyway, what did it matter? He was used to it. It would be weirder if he was okay at this point. Was anybody ever really okay, anyway? 

 "Yeah. Of course." Soren flashed a wide smile in Corvus' direction. "Why wouldn't I be?"

 "Because..." Corvus trailed off, too many reasons to name them all. "I'm just worried about you."

 Soren paused, his smile faltering. Then it was replaced by a smaller, genuine one. “You don’t need to be… Corvy?”

 Something in Corvus’ expression told him this nickname wouldn't stick any better than the others he had tried. 

“Alright, not Corvy.” he said. “How about-”

 “How about you rest like the king ordered?”

 “Fineee.” Soren groaned, letting the tent flap drop from his hand. “Just for an hour.”

 He flopped back down onto the ground, feeling the corners of his armor jab into his sides, the sticks and stones littering the dirt floor of the tent poking into his back. The saying should have been sticks and stones can break my bones, and they sure as heck make it impossible to sleep too.

 For a split second he wished he had accepted the bedroll Opeli offered him, if only so that Corvus wouldn’t be stuck lying on the cold, stony ground. But the selfish thought fled just as quickly as it had come. The hospital needed them more. He would have given them this tent too, had Opeli not insisted it was too small to be of any use. 

 And it was small. Corvus laid down on the ground beside him, the forced proximity making their shoulders bump. Not that Soren was mad about that. He tried to stop wiggling, for Corvus’ sake. If he needed rest, then his friend - partner? - definitely did. He’d ridden for days just to get here, and now was worried about him? 

 But knowing that they both needed to rest didn’t seem to make sleep any more attainable, and they both spent the next ten minutes staring at the canvas roof above them, eyes wide open, elbows and shoulders gently bumping into one another each time they moved. Unable to do anything else without disturbing Corvus, Soren had to be content simply wiggling his toes. Which, he realized after a moment, were sticking slightly out of the tent. It really was small. Or he was just big. It was probably that last one. He was a prime physical specimen, after all.  

 "What are you doing?" Corvus asked, rolling onto his side to look over at Soren.

 “I, uh, nothing. I’m resting.”

 Corvus didn’t seem convinced, so Soren rolled over to face him so he could properly explain why this should count as resting and now they could get up and go help. The words died on his lips when he realized that, in this new position, their faces were mere inches apart. Corvus’s hair tickled his forehead and their noses bumped as he shifted.

 “Really?” Corvus asked, his breath warm on Soren’s face. 

 Soren reached out and poked his nose.

 “What was that for?” Corvus asked, sitting up in his surprise.

 “It was right there, what did you want me to do!?” Soren asked, rolling onto his back to look up at him, blowing the hair out of his face. 

 Corvus blinked a few times, the color in his cheeks deepening. Then he looked away. “What are we, Soren?”

 Soren’s heart dropped and he sat up, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked over at his friend of two years. “I, uh. What do you want to be?”

 He knew what he wanted. And for a second there, when they’d kissed, he’d thought maybe that was what they were now. That maybe they were a thing. But the way he’d asked that… now he wasn’t so sure.

 Corvus took a deep breath and let it out slowly before replying. “I thought that maybe… maybe it was just the adrenalin, or the rush of having survived. Of both of us being okay. But what I would like is for it to have been… more than that.”

 Corvus looked at him, his eyes kind and smiling in that way Soren loved so much.

 “Corvus. We almost die, like, every day.” he pointed out. “And we’ve never done that before.”

 “But-”

 He stopped him with a quick kiss, which became a few kisses, and he felt that addressed Corvus’ concerns pretty well. 

“So… can I tell everyone that you’re my boyfriend now?” he asked, finally drawing back. 

 Corvus lay back down on the ground, crossing his forearms behind his head as a kind of makeshift cushion. “I suppose you can.”

 “Yes!” Soren flopped onto the ground beside him, punching a fist in the air. “I guess we already sort of told Ezran.”

 “I can’t believe…” Corvus trailed off, shifting so that he could pinch the bridge of his nose with one hand as he closed his eyes. He sighed. “What’s done is done.”

 “Yep!” Soren said cheerily, not feeling a drop of regret. “He was going to find out eventually.”

 He shifted uncomfortably on the uneven, stony ground. He’d forgotten how jabby it was. A stone pressed into the back of his head and he sat up, shoved it away, and laid back down. And just as quickly sat back up. 

 “Sorry, I didn’t mean to lie on you. I can move over.”

 “That would sort of defeat the point of me putting my arm there.” Corvus said, and Soren realized that it hadn’t been an accident. Corvus scooted a little closer, stretching his arm out further towards him. 

 “You hurt your head, Soren. The last thing we need is you banging it against a rock.”

 “So… you’re saying that I should use you as a pillow.”

 “Yes. I am a pillow.”

 “And you’re a pillow… for my health?”

 “What else would it be for?”

 Soren just smiled and lay back down, resting his head gingerly on Corvus’ proffered arm. One of the perks of working out, it seemed, was that muscles could double as pillows. More people should tell you that. He would have to keep it in mind. 

 Corvus rested his other arm across his chest, fingers absently playing with a torn edge on Soren’s armor. Curled up together in the warm closeness of the tent, Soren finally felt himself relax. He hadn’t realized how on edge he’d been until it all washed away. 

 Sure, he had a lot of work to do and there were people out there that needed helping. But he could take a couple minutes to shut his eyes, and just listen to the sound of Corvus’ slow breathing beside him, and the rustle of the tent in the wind.

 Anyway, Corvus needed to rest, and if Soren got up to go and help out around camp he was sure to follow. So really, the only way to make sure that his boyfriend got some sleep was to get some himself. 

 Soren closed his eyes, letting himself relax for the first time in at least two days, probably longer, and with a stifled yawn sleep took him.

[thebunnednun]

Shadows in the Night! Trafalgar D. Water Law x Ethereal spirit! Reader (Part 1)

I did say that I have other husbands just waiting to get published.

P.S. I do not own any of the images or art!!

Song: Nightmare By Set It Off.

Synopsis: While exploring the enigmatic ruins of a lost civilization, Law and his crew inadvertently awaken a hauntingly beautiful spirit. Invisible to everyone but Law, she delights in tormenting him, whispering tantalizingly close and stirring an unsettling desire within him.

Their relationship, fraught with tension and conflict, evolves from enemies to reluctant allies as the spirit reveals a dark truth: they are bound together for all eternity unless he helps her reclaim her physical body hidden within the ruins. Amidst ancient riddles and hidden dangers, the lines between hate and desire blur, creating an intoxicating mix of sexual and romantic tension.

In this gripping tale of supernatural intrigue and forbidden desire, Law’s resolve and sanity are tested. Can he break the curse, or will they remain forever entwined in the shadows of the forgotten ruins, bound by a fate that draws them inexorably closer?

On with the show!!~

______________Chatper 1: Echoes in the Ruins________________

The ruins sprawled before them, a testament to a civilization lost to time. The combined crews of the Heart Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates moved cautiously through the ancient corridors, their footsteps echoing off the weathered stone walls.

"Remember," Law's voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, "we're here to observe and document, not disturb. Any artifacts we find must be handled with care."

As Law issued his solemn reminder with caution in his tone, Robin, ever the archaeologist, was by his side. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she traced her fingers over the intricate carvings and hieroglyphs adorning the walls.

Nami grabbed Zoro with a knowing glint in her eyes and produced a stylish scarf from her bag.

"I think it's best if we stick together," she said, her tone firm but gentle. With a swift motion, she leashed Zoro to her arm with the scarf, earning a bemused look from the swordsman.

Zoro grumbled something under his breath about being treated like a child, but he didn't resist. He knew better than to argue with Nami when she had that look in her eyes. Smiling, she turned to scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or treasure.

Meanwhile, Usopp couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him like a heavy fog. His eyes darted nervously around the dimly lit corridors, his imagination running wild with every shadowy corner.

"I-I don't like this, guys," he muttered, his voice trembling slightly. "This place gives me the creeps." Franky, ever the protector, placed a reassuring hand on Usopp's shoulder, his mechanical fingers offering a sense of comfort. "Don't worry, Usopp! Super Franky is here to keep you safe," he declared, puffing out his chest proudly.

Chopper stayed close to Robin, marveling at the ancient surroundings with wide eyes. Sensing Chopper's unawarness, Franky positioned himself between Chopper and the darker recesses of the cave, determined to shield the little doctor from any potential threats.

As the group advanced further into the ruins, Brook found himself unintentionally causing a stir. With each step, his bones clacked and rattled against each other, echoing eerily through the corridors.

"Yohoho! My apologies, everyone! It seems I'm a bit... rambunctious today!" he chuckled nervously, trying to play off his unintentional spookiness.

On the Heart Pirates' side, Bepo, ever loyal, stuck close to Law. His large bear-like frame was a comforting presence amidst the ancient ruins. Shachi and Penguin, the inseparable pair, kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Their hands were ready at their sides to draw their weapons at a moment's notice.

Luffy, heedless of Law's instructions, bounded forward with the enthusiasm of a child let loose in a candy store. His straw hat bobbed atop his head as he scanned the floor for treasures, his eyes alight with excitement. Spotting a glimmer of light, he reached down and plucked the shiny object from the ground, only to realize it was a peculiarly shaped rock resembling a piece of meat.

"Hey, Law, look what I found!" Luffy exclaimed, his arm cocked back as if to throw the rock.

"Wait, Luffy, I said not to—" Law's warning was cut short as Luffy, with his trademark grin, hurled the rock toward the entrance of the ruins.

The rock sailed through the air with surprising accuracy, its trajectory straight toward the open hatch of the Polar Tang's submarine. Law's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the rock disappear into the darkness with a resounding clang of metal.

“LUFFY!” He and Nami bellowed, a mixture of frustration and exasperation evident in their voices, but it was too late.

As the echoes of Law's frustrated outburst reverberated through the cavernous chambers, Robin stepped forward with a calm demeanor. Her expression was serene despite the chaos around them.

"Luffy, dear," she began, her voice soft but firm, "I understand your excitement, but it's important to respect the rules set by Law. These ruins hold valuable historical significance, and any disturbance could cause irreparable damage."

Luffy's expression softened as he listened to Robin's explanation. His gaze dropped to the ground in sheepish realization.

"Sorry, Robin," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to mess things up."

Robin offered him a reassuring smile and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, Luffy. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them."

As the group prepared to depart, Law's sharp instincts kicked in, alerting him to a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Without warning, the ground beneath them began to tremble, and the ancient ruins groaned under the weight of their intrusion.

"Everyone, out— now !" Law shouted in a whisper, his voice cutting through the chaos.

"The combined crews hurried toward the exit with a flurry of movements, their footsteps echoing off the crumbling walls. Dust and debris rained down around them as they emerged into the open air, their hearts pounding with adrenaline.

Once safely outside, Law surveyed the damage with a heavy heart. Despite their best intentions, their presence had inadvertently caused harm to the ancient structure.

"We'll have to call it a day," Law announced, his tone tinged with regret. "It's too risky to continue exploring in this state. We'll regroup and come back tomorrow, but we must be more cautious."

After the crews dispersed to tend to their wounds and reflect on the day's events, they all returned to the safety of their respective ships. A sense of relief washed over them, but there was also an undercurrent of unease. Each member sought solace in their own way, seeking refuge from the day's unsettling events.

Luffy, ever resilient, bounded onto the deck of the Thousand Sunny with a carefree laugh, his mind already occupied with thoughts of their next adventure. He found himself drawn to the galley, where Sanji was busy preparing a hearty meal to lift everyone's spirits after the close call in the ruins. With a wide grin, Luffy plopped down at the table, eagerly anticipating the feast that awaited him.

Zoro, tired from the day's activities, went to his hammock for a long nap. Robin climbed up to the crow's nest, trying to find relaxation among the swaying mast and billowing sails. Meanwhile, Brook, holding a bottle of sake, stared out at the vast expanse of the sea, his thoughts drifting to the mysteries hidden beneath its surface.

At the same time, Usopp sought refuge in his workshop, tinkering with his trusty slingshot as he tried to distract himself from the lingering sense of dread that clung to him like a suffocating fog. The familiar hum of machinery provided some comfort.

Back on the Polar Tang, Franky busied himself with repairs, his mechanical expertise proving invaluable as he worked tirelessly to mend the damage caused by their hasty retreat from the ruins. With each clang of metal against metal, he vowed to ensure that their next expedition would proceed without incident.

Chopper, ever the empathic healer, tended to the wounds (baby scratches) of his fellow crewmates with gentle care. With each bandage applied and hug administered, he silently vowed to protect his friends at any cost.

As the hours passed and the night wore on, Law found himself alone in his study. The soft glow of lamplight cast flickering shadows across the room. With weary eyes, he pored over ancient texts and sketches, his mind consumed by thoughts of the ruins and the secrets they held.

Suddenly, a faint rustling broke the silence, like the whisper of silk against a stone. Law's brow furrowed as he glanced around, but the room appeared empty, save for the eerie dance of shadows that played across the walls.

Before he could react, the figure spoke with a voice tinged with malice and madness. "You shouldn't have come here, Captain," it hissed, its words dripping with venom.

"It's just fatigue," he muttered to himself, attempting to dismiss the unsettling feeling that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. "I need rest."

But as Law settled into his makeshift bed, the feeling of unease only grew stronger, a tangible presence that enveloped him like a suffocating blanket. He tossed and turned, unable to shake the sensation of being watched, his thoughts consumed by visions of shadowy figures lurking in the darkness.

With a resigned sigh, Law rose from his bed and padded silently through the dimly lit corridors of the submarine. The soft glow of lamplight cast eerie shadows on the walls, distorting the familiar surroundings into something altogether unfamiliar.

His footsteps echoed softly against the metal floor as he made his way to the kitchen, the promise of a glass of water the only respite from the oppressive weight of his unease. But as he reached for the fridge, his hand froze mid-air, his senses tingling with the presence of another.

A sudden movement shattered the silence, a figure emerging from the shadows with a deadly weapon in hand. Instinct took over as Law ducked, narrowly avoiding the swing of the frying pan.

"Law?!"

The scent of nicotine drifted through the air as Law slowly stood up from the ground. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he caught a glimpse of blond hair.

It was only then that he realized it was Sanji, the cook of the Straw Hat Pirates. Sanji's expression was a mix of surprise and annoyance as he demanded, "What the hell are you doing sneaking around like that?" His cigarette dangled precariously from the corner of his mouth as his eyes widened in realization.

"I thought you were that rubber goof coming to swipe snacks!"

"Sorry to disappoint Blackleg-ya, I didn't mean to startle you," Law replied, his face blank although his heart was still racing from the encounter.

Sanji's expression softened as he recognized his friend's tiredness. "No harm done. Care for a drink?" he offered, gesturing toward a bottle of wine on the counter.

Grateful for the distraction, Law accepted the offer, and the two men sat down to share a quiet moment amidst the creepiness of the night. The comforting warmth of the wine washed away some of Law's apprehension, but the feeling of unease lingered, a constant presence in the back of his mind.

"Well, I’m calling it a night. Don’t let the rats eat everything." With that, Sanji waved before heading through the kitchen door. Alone, Law began to feel his eyelids droop, the weariness of the day weighing heavily on his shoulders.

As Law slumped at the kitchen table, his mind drifted into the hazy realm of sleep. Exhaustion finally claimed him, and his eyelids fluttered shut.

Drifting into a restless sleep, his dreams quickly turned vivid and unsettling. A hauntingly beautiful woman emerged from the shadows, her ethereal form shimmering in the dim light. She wore a flowing gown that seemed to be woven from the very fabric of light, its glowing tendrils whispering secrets as they brushed against her transparent skin.

Her hair fell around her like a silky waterfall, moving as if carried by an unseen breeze. Although her face remained hidden in shadows, her eyes, glowing with an eerie purple light, captivated Law, drawing him deeper into their depths.

She moved with a grace that was both mesmerizing and unnerving, sending a shiver down Law's spine. Her touch was tantalizingly close, the warmth of her breath ghosting over his skin as she leaned in, her fingers just inches away from his face.

The air around them crackled with an electric tension, a mix of fear and forbidden desire that set his senses ablaze.

Laws's heart pounded in his chest as she hovered nearer, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made it impossible to look away.

Her fingers danced tantalizingly close to his skin, almost grazing his cheek. The sensation was so vivid that it sent a thrilling jolt through his body. The scent of her— an intoxicating blend of wildflowers and something ancient— filled his senses, pulling him deeper into the enchantment.

As she leaned in closer, her lips parting as if to whisper secrets meant only for him, Law felt an overwhelming urge to reach out, to touch her, and discover the truth hidden in her elusive gaze. Yet, just as her fingers were about to brush against his skin, reality crashed back in.

The air grew colder, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end—a silent warning of the lurking danger that surrounded him. Law awoke with a start, the eerie feeling lingering as he instinctively grabbed his glass and hurled it toward the looming shadow.

"B AMM !"

The glass shattered against the floor, sharp shards scattering in all directions with a deafening clatter that reverberated through the silent kitchen. When Law looked up, all that remained was a shattered reflection staring back at him.

"I know I saw you."

An apparition cast in the fractured remnants of his own fear. The air seemed to thicken around him, suffocating in its intensity as the oppressive weight of the unknown bore down upon him with relentless force.

His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a thunderous echo in the confines of his mind. At that moment, as the shadows danced and swirled around him, Law couldn't shake the chilling certainty that he was not alone. Something sinister lurked just beyond the edge of his vision, waiting to ensnare him in its dark embrace.

A ghostly reminder of the woman he had seen.

______________________________________________________________

Part two: Posted now.

As promised, @mororona @mochiclouds @@xxsliverwolfxx and @sosongstrawberry (Don't worry your fic is getting posted soon!)

Lemme know how y'all like it so far!~

To be posted on the ao3 account soon.

Be sure to check out my other works and leave likes and comments, they really help. I have a fic for almost everyone here in the master list. Drop a follow as well if you please. Don’t be shy to leave me a little reblog if you want.

My DM's and requests are open!

I promise I bite~

Seen you soon my loves!!~ <<33

[skateordiebitch]

hiii! i love ur fics sm.. don’t stop making them. i honestly just wanted to request something about being best friends with dom, nothing weird at all. but he’s always there for reader and stuff, they’re close and childhood friends :)

IDIOT || D.F. x reader

summary: dominic fike, your childhood best friend; part time 'crisis manager'. full time idiot.

a/n: thank you sm! i don't plan on stopping, don't worry LMFAO. this request made my heart so happy. this reminded me so much of my best friend, who i'm away from rn :') miss him dearly so this was very nice to write!!! hope u guys enjoy!! <33

It was 2 a.m., and you were curled up on your living room couch, a half-eaten pint of ice cream in your lap, your favorite bad movie playing softly in the background. 

The door to your apartment swung open without warning, and Dominic strolled in, his hair sticking out in every direction, still wearing his pajama pants and a hoodie.

“Dom!” you said, startled but not entirely surprised. “Geez, ever heard of knocking?”

He dropped onto the couch beside you with zero hesitation, stealing the pint from your hands and taking a spoonful. “And miss the element of surprise? Never. I have a key for a reason.”

You rolled your eyes, smacking his arm lightly. “You look like shit. What are you even doing here? It’s the middle of the night.”

“You texted me, remember?” he said, wiggling his phone in front of you. “Something about an emotional crisis and needing someone to comfort you.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “Dude, I didn’t think you’d actually show up. I was just venting.”

Dominic grinned. “And yet, here I am. Lucky for you, I’m an excellent crisis manager.”

You couldn’t help but smile despite yourself.

That was Dominic: always there, no questions asked, no matter the time or place. You’d been inseparable since you were kids—sharing snacks in kindergarten, passing notes in middle school, and now, navigating adulthood together.

“Okay, crisis manager,” you said, reclaiming the ice cream. “Fix me. Please.”

“What happened?” he asked, his expression softening as he turned to face you fully. 

“It’s just…” You hesitated, toying with the edge of your blanket. “I’ve been feeling kind of stuck lately. Like, everyone’s moving on and doing amazing things, getting into relationships, and I’m just… here.”

Dominic’s brow furrowed. “Are you kidding? You’re like, one of the smartest, most talented people I know. And trust me, I know a lot of people.”

You snorted. “Yeah, okay. You’re only saying that because you’re my best friend. You basically have to tell me that.”

“I’m serious,” he said, nudging your shoulder. “Remember in high school when you built that entire art project out of soda cans and won first place? Or when you aced that internship interview because you quoted your favorite movie? You’re like, actually capable of doing things.”

“Dominic, that was years ago,” you said, laughing despite yourself, “And what about relationships? All of my friends keep shoving their boyfriends in my face, and it’s making me wanna download Hinge, again.”

Dominic leaned back, his head resting against the couch as he let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh God, you’re single. The horror.”

“Shut up,” you said, throwing a pillow at him, which he easily caught. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I,” he replied, tossing the pillow aside. “Why are you stressing about this? Being single isn’t some kind of failure. You’re not competing with anyone.”

“I know that, logically,” you said, running a hand through your hair. “But it feels like… I don’t know, like everyone else is figuring shit out, and I’m just here eating ice cream at midnight with my idiot best friend.”

“First of all, rude,” Dominic said, pointing at himself. “I am a delightful idiot, and I’m sure many girls would kill to be in your place… Thank you very much. Second, that’s a load of crap.”

You raised an eyebrow. “What is?”

“This idea that you’re ‘falling behind,’” he said, sitting up straighter. “Everyone moves at their own pace. Just because your friends are in relationships doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be. Maybe you’re single because you haven’t met someone who deserves you yet.”

You snorted, shaking your head. “That’s such a cliché, Dom, really. You should write a book or something.”

“Yeah, well, clichés are clichés for a reason,” he shot back. “Look, you’ve got standards—and you should. You’re smart, funny, kind, and, despite everything, pretty tolerable to be around.”

“Aw, thanks, Dom,” you said with mock sarcasm. “Such a glowing review.”

“I’m serious,” he said, nudging your knee with his. “You’re a catch. And the right person’s gonna see that without you having to bend over backward to prove it. You just have to stop beating yourself up for not settling.”

You blinked, caught off guard by how earnest he sounded. “You really think that?”

“Of course I do,” he said, shrugging. “And I’m always right. Ask anyone.”

You rolled your eyes but felt a warmth spreading in your chest. Dominic always knew how to say the right thing, even when you didn’t want to hear it. 

“So, what? I’m just supposed to wait for some magical person to show up and sweep me off my feet?”

Dominic smirked. “Nah, I think you should keep doing you. Focus on what makes you happy. And when the right person shows up, you’ll know. Until then, you’ve got me to watch crappy movies and steal your snacks. Don’t download a fucking dating app.”

“Lucky me,” you teased, but the smile on your face was genuine. “Thanks, Dom. I needed that.”

He gave you a playful salute.

“Anytime,” he said, slinging an arm around your shoulders. “Besides, if you ever really get stuck, I’ll just carry you around and tell everyone you’re my much cooler best friend.”

“Obviously,” you said, leaning into him. “That’s been the plan all along.”

The two of you sat there for a while, the weight of your worries easing with each ridiculous comment he made. 

Dominic had always been your rock, the one constant in your constantly changing world.  

“Move over, loser. You’re hogging the blanket,” you grumbled, nudging Dominic with your foot as he sprawled across your couch like he owned the place. 

“Excuse me?” Dominic shot back, raising an eyebrow. “You invited me over, remember? You’re lucky I’m even sharing my popcorn.”

You grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl on his lap without breaking eye contact. “Your popcorn? You wouldn’t even have it if I didn’t buy it. Idiot.”

Dominic gasped in mock offense. “Wow, okay. Name-calling? Really mature, Y/N. What are we, twelve?”

“Pretty sure you were worse when we were twelve,” you shot back, grinning. 

“Fair point,” he admitted, tossing a piece of popcorn at you. It bounced off your forehead, and he burst out laughing.

You retaliated by throwing one back, but it went wildly off course, landing somewhere on the floor. 

Dominic shook his head, feigning disappointment. “Terrible aim. No wonder you didn’t make the basketball team in middle school.”

“Oh, shut up,” you said, snatching the blanket and draping it over yourself, leaving him with only a corner. “I made the team, thank you very much. I just quit.”

“Yeah, after you tripped over your own shoelaces and—”

“Do not finish that sentence,” you warned, though you were already laughing too hard to sound threatening. 

Dominic chuckled, pulling the blanket back over his lap as the opening credits of your favorite movie played on the screen. “Alright, fine. Let’s watch this masterpiece you’ve been hyping up for weeks.”

“Don’t act like it’s your first time watching it,” you teased. “You’ve seen this at least five times with me. You even cried during the ending last time.”

“I did not cry,” Dominic protested, though his face betrayed him with the slightest blush. “I had something in my eye.”

“Sure you did,” you said, rolling your eyes but grinning. “Big ass tears that would’ve scared all the girls away.”

He grabbed a pillow and lightly bopped you on the head. “Keep talking, and I’ll ruin the ending for you.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” you said, narrowing your eyes at him.

“Try me.”

You lunged for the pillow, laughing as he held it out of reach. The two of you wrestled for it for a moment, the blanket and popcorn long forgotten, before collapsing back onto the couch in a heap of giggles.

Once you both settled down, Dominic leaned back, his arm resting casually along the back of the couch. “You know, this is why we’re best friends.”

“Because you like losing pillow fights to me?” you teased.

“No,” he said, flicking your arm. “Because you’re the only person I know who can call me an idiot and make it sound like a compliment.”

You smirked, nudging him with your shoulder. “Well, you’re my favorite idiot. Don’t forget it.”

He grinned, his gaze softening for just a moment before he turned back to the screen. “Alright, let’s watch this thing. No more distractions.”

The two of you sat there, sharing popcorn, laughing at the same jokes you’d heard a hundred times, and tossing the occasional insult back and forth. 

It was the kind of night that reminded you why Dominic was your best friend—because no matter how chaotic or ridiculous things got, you always knew you could count on him to be there, making life a little less serious and a whole lot more fun. 

[bekolxeram]

I've seen takes claiming S7!Buck is OOC for the lack of trauma response to being called "Evan" by Tommy or flying into a thunderstorm. While PTSD is very real and deserves recognition and representation outside of a military setting, I also see the beauty in reclaiming your memories.

Tommy calling him Evan affectionately actually makes him feel seen, unlike his parents calling him by his birth name because they didn't bother getting to know who he is right now at all. Flying into that hurricane feels safe with Tommy in control, in contrast to being struck by lightning on that ladder, because Buck trusts Tommy's ability to get them there safe. Slowly, specific traumatic moments don't automatically trigger your trauma anymore, you think of the newer, happier memories.

Personal stuff underneath, feel free to ignore if that's not your thing. TW: abusive relationship

My bestie was in an abusive relationship, in all definitions of the word, for about 6 months. It was a rebound and she was at the lowest point of her life when this LARPing edgelord who couldn't refer to any foreigner without using a slur came into her life. My closest all-female friend group had been drama free for over 10 years, and he immediately started trying to stir shit up not even a month after starting a relationship with my bestie.

She ended up in the hospital, and she dumped him as soon as her physical health improved. He stalked her, and all of us close to her, for 4 years afterwards. Her family blamed her for that, like any other toxic Asian family, and she started keeping stuff to herself, she changed the spelling of her name and she avoided things she used to enjoy or places she used to go because they reminded her of him. Until one day she kind of disappeared.

Turns out, she was in a relationship with a new guy she met at work. She never got around to tell us about it because they were taking it painstakingly slow. They hadn't slept together and they hadn't met each other's family after a whole year of dating, but what they had been doing was trying to dive back into my bestie's hobbies before the abusive relationship.

It wasn't always successful, sometimes she needed a minute to process, other times she outright had to leave the environment. But eventually, she started playing the piano again, she started looking into astrology again even though her ex said it was a proof that women were dumb, she started celebrating her birthday without worrying about being stalked.

I just think It's beautiful. You can't change the past, you can only make newer, better memories to convince yourself it's not always gonna be that bad.

[lunarflux]

Do you have any thoughts on Aemond in this episode?

I really didn't want to see him as someone who only cares about himself or who is apathetic :/, but idk what to think; as Ewan said, Aemond puts up a cold and ruthless facade to keep himself safe and not appear weak; and in the little moments where his armor slips and we see his vulnerable side, like in the brothel scenes or how he looked at his mother as she touched his cheek, he seems like a different person. It leaves me confused on what to think of him, as I don't want to see him as evil. Do you have any opinions you'd like to share? I ask because I really enjoy your insights. <3

So happy you enjoy my insights 🖤 I always get worried I might strike a nerve with people.

Let me start off by saying that sympathizing with Aemond is not a bad thing as the characters in HOTD are so complex that it forces you to empathize with people you don't want to care for. For example, Larys talking to Aegon in this episode added another dimension to a man who we only ever saw as a manipulator of the weak.

When it comes to Aemond, one could easily say that they understand and not necessarily condone. While some think Aemond is a Chaotic Evil, I still see him as a Neutral because I think he acts out of self-interest and not out of hate. Yes, he resents Aegon but not to the point that most people keep saying. Yes, he feels resentment towards his mother but not to the point where he's outwardly cruel.

Aemond doesn't consistently act on his anger or disdain. I look at him as someone who finally grew too tired of being the cushion for the failure of others. Aegon fled? Aemond found him. Aegon won't be studious? Aemond buried himself in books. He wants to be everything no one ever expected of him, and when you live up to either an impossible standard or no standard at all, there are no parameters that confine you to how these goals can be achieved.

I honestly still don't think he's evil?? Every time I feel like I'm ready to say he is, I watch the scene over, and my thought slowly twists to something along the lines of "This guy just can't stand to appear weak because if he does, then he'll never reclaim the mask he fights so hard to put on all the time."

And perhaps, this is also a fault of mine because I love knowing people who have that shell - as I have one myself. People whose trauma response is to eliminate weakness from their face are fascinating, and I am the type of person who works hard to be someone they allow themselves to be weak in front of. Probably no different than Aemond. He acts with self-interest, yes. Fully-fledged evil? No. Did Aegon deserve it? No. Would Aegon have ever bowed down otherwise? Probably not.

Aemond doesn't act for the Greens, he acts for himself. His downfall will be that this goal of simply proving he is more than what anyone expected has no actual end point. He will keep going as long as people confuse him with being something he's not. If anyone gets on you for defending Aemond, I'd just say there's a fine line between a reason and an excuse. Why he does what he does, I see the reasons, and maybe you see the excuse. There's no defending here - I'm just saying I get it.

I'll wrap this up with - my mask has definitely slipped before, and when it does, my reaction is automatically annoyance or anger. I've told people before that when I'm mean, I'm cruel, so I'd rather not be mean. Hard not to understand Aemond when my attitude is the lesser version of his.

[cecilebutcher]

ღLaufey songs I associate with twst boysღ

I’m back on my musical bullshit😎 just so we’re clear, this has zero thoughts, behind it o7 Enjoy!!

!!Don’t like,it does nothing. Reblog instesd!!

Characters: Every nrc student + some oc’s

Riddle Rosehearts: like the movies

“Maybe I'm just old fashioned. Read too many fairytales. It's no wonder I've had no luck, no one's ever good enough. I want a love like I've seen in the movies.That's why I'll never fall in love”

Trey Clover: I wish you love

“And in July a lemonade. To cool you in some leafy glade. I wish you health. And more than wealth. My breaking heart and I agree. That you and I could never be. So with my best, my very best. I set you free”

Cater Diamond: someone new

“I have to get off Instagram. I keep on going back. Looking at our memories. I know that you will soon delete. We turn to strangers in a day. Now you walk away. Every time I catch your eye. When did you become so shy?”

Ace Trappola: Best friend

“I have never tolerated someone for so long. I've never laughed so much. I haven't written a sad song. There's no one else I'd rather fall asleep with. And dream with. You're my best friend in the world”

Deuce Spade: just like Chet

“Why did you put me through. 11 months of "you're so pretty's, " "I miss you's"? It's absurd what even occurred between autumn and spring. If you never loved me. In a perfect world. I wouldn't have met you that night. Would've stayed with my friends. And just danced 'til the morning light”

Leona Kingscholar: Valentine

“I've rejected affection. For years and years. Now I have it, and damn it. It's kind of weird. He tells me I'm pretty. Don't know how to respond. I tell him that he's pretty too. Can I say that? Don't have a clue”

Ruggie Bucchie: Promise

“It hurts to be something. It's worse to be nothing with you. I've done the math. There's no solution. We'll never last. Why can't I let go of this?”

Jack Howl: lucky for me

“When the sun goes away in the autumn. And the leaves trickle down from the trees. The heat of the summer's forgotten. You'll be here, so lucky for me. You don't tell me to shut up. Even when I talk too much you smile at me. Say, "Don't worry"”

Azul Ashengrotto: From the start

“Oh, the burning pain. Listening to you harp on 'bout some new soulmate. "She's so perfect, " blah, blah, blah. Oh, how I wish you'll wake up one day. Run to me, confess your love, at least just let me say”

Jade Leech: above the Chinese restaurant

“Street sounds blistered with neon lights. Heard the neighbors snoring every other night. Eating dumplings from next door. Finish 'em up they'd give us some more. Didn't realize we had it all. Even when the roof came caving in that fall. Oh, I loved you more than you know. Covered in the flakes of crystal white snow”

Floyd Leech: dancing with you tonight

“Silly boy, don't talk to me. I don't have the energy. Please don't ask to dance with me tonight. I do better on my own (on my own). I don't mean to come off cold (come off cold). But my dear, I'm all danced out tonight. Now the gin is hitting me. And it's almost half-past three. Am I crazy or seeing things? I'm sorry if I can't go for another swing”

Kalim Al-Asim: Magnolia

“A word from her lips, her sirens kiss. Will send you straight into abyss. Magnolia, I wish she'd give her secrets away. Enchants everyone and I think it'd be fun. To be like her someday. But I cannot compete with her. Perfection is the only word. I think of when I think of Magnolia. She doesn't know that the world is turning just for her”

Jamil Viper: Street by Street

“Step by step, brick by brick. I'm reclaiming what's mine. This city is way too small. To give away to just one guy. Street by street, breath by breath. From the Back Bay to the sky. I'm taking back my city. I'm Taking back my life. The cafe Where you asked me for my name. The bookstore we spent Five hours hiding from the rain”

Vil Shoenheit: beautiful stranger

“What if I would've stayed on the train? Dared to stand up and ask for his name. Maybe we would have exchanged a few words. A fairytale moment could have occurred. But my beautiful stranger will have to remain. A stranger until I see him again. See him again. Hmm, mmh.”

Rook Hunt: fragile

“The soft candle glow. The music so slow. Your skin on my skin. The room is spinning. Nerve in my bone. I'm shaking oh no. I'm talking though I shouldn't be. I've lost all sensibility. I've never been so fragile”

Epel Felmier: falling behind

“'Cause the sun's engaged to the sky. And my best friend's found a new guy. I'm only getting older. I've never had a shoulder to cry on. Someone to call mine. Everybody's falling in love and I'm falling behind”

Idia Shroud:this is how it feels(ft. D4vd)

“This is how it feels. To fall in love with you. To always think of you. To always dream of you. Yes, it hurts so much. To fall in love with you. So if this is how it feels. Tell me if our love is real. There's some type of strange appeal. To the way it was so effortless, uh. I cannot help it”

Malleus Draconia: Bewitched

“You bewitched me. From the first time that you kissed me. Waited all night. Then we ran down the street in the late London light. The world froze around us, you kissed me good night. You bewitch me. Every damn second you're with me. I try to think straight. But I'm falling so badly, I'm coming apart. You wrote me a note, cast a spell on my heart. And bewitched me. Bewitched”

Lilia Vanrouge: night light

“Cardboard boxes covеring the floor. Guess I won't be living in here anymore. Take down the posters of the pop stars on the wall. Empty room, it looks so small. All of the laughter. All the sleepless nights. Waiting for ever after. Snow falling outside, keeping on the night light”

Silver (Vanrouge): let you break my heart again

“One day, I will stop falling in love with you. Some day, someone will like me like I like you. Until then, I'll drink my coffee, eat my pie. Pretend that we are more than friends. Then of course I'll let you break my heart again. Some day, one day. I will stop falling in love with you. Until I do. I'll be thinking of you. Let you break my heart again”

Sebek Zigvolt: dear soulmate

“Dear soulmate. Do you think of me? 'Cause I do. Do you have green eyes or are they brown like mine? Do you have a sister too? Dear soulmate. One day I'll give this song you. We will drive up to the mountains? Camp in a little tent? When the bears come at night. Will you put up a fight? Or will you hide with me in my flashlight?”

Ibhana “Vesper” Baske: questions for the universe

“Falling in love feels more like crashing. Stars spin around my head. So I'm asking. Will my worries ever melt away? Mm. Run out of sentences to say. Wish that I could put this into better words. Will I ever fall in love or will I always search?”

Tao Yúchi: second best

“I'll never forget how stupid in love I felt. I'll always regret how I couldn't ever tell. That you walked a little faster, left me behind. Kissed me with somebody else in mind. I loved you so much. That I settled for less. Oh, you were my everything. I was your second best.”

Igor Kazentoc: serendipity

“I won't pretend I've been anxious. Just like I've always been. This time it's sticking. And time just stops ticking. When I have my arms around you. Four-leaf clovers and lucky dimes. Coincidences and cosmic signs. Have proved that I am quite naive. I'm falling fast, filling gravity. And all that I see is serendipity”

Junto Shuisha: everything I know about love

“I wouldn't mind (ahh). I heard that falling fast is so divine. Are these songs just telling plain old lies? 'Cause that's everything I know about love (ooh, ooh). Everything I know about love (ooh, ooh). I don't know that much at all. I trip, I fall. Every time I try, it's all too much. That's everything I know about love”

Jasper Spade: slow down

“I wish it would slow down. Even for a second. I'm so old now. Left my adolescence. Going out to parties. And getting way too drunk. Think I found somebody. But don't think that it's love. I wish it would slow down. Slow down. Mhm, mhm. ”

Aikat Spanos: I’ve never been in love before

“I've never been in love before. I thought my heart was safe. I thought I knew the score. But this is why. It's all too strange and strong. I'm full of foolish song, and out my song must pour. So please forgive this helpless haze I'm in. I've really never been in love before”

Phobes Spanos: what love will do to you

“Lately, I've been in a haze. Running late, can't think straight. The world feels smaller, yet the trees look taller. There's enchantment in the air. I know I sound stupid, I do. That's what love will do to you. Read my favorite book. For the hundredth time. At least I know of how it ends. In real life it just all depends”

Yes I know I placed valentine for my baby boy Sebek in the last post, but it fits Leona this time ok?

Anywho hope ya’ll enjoyed this as much as I had fun writing this:D

Finally back to posting shit!! I have had this in my drafts for ages

!!requests are open!!

comments are more than appreciated. but reblogs help the content reach more people so please reblog if you want to like<3 likes do nothing. Seriously, don’t like, reblog.

[artificialcorby]

Beware, spoilery content for MW3

I'm sitting at the counter of my kitchen, crying into my thoroughly weighed high protein / high carb (and low flavour) lunch bowl. And no, that's not the reason I'm crying.

Ever since I turned on my (back then) PS3 and started up this new first person shooter game called Modern Warfare, I felt a deep connection with this then mute character.

I was the F.N.G. The fucking new guy.

Long before I had the words (I only came out in 2019) I knew: That's me. That guy is more like me than any other protagonist I've ever played. Not much was known about Soap back then. And not much was known about me, the real me, either.

Fast forward to 2022. I am myself. More than I've ever been. And the ratings for the upcoming new MW2 are through the roof. I remember how much I loved the old games. I haven't played CoD in a while because the newer games weren't really for me anymore. Also life got in the way and you know how things are sometimes.

To kill some time until the release of MW2, I got a copy of the new MW (which totally went under my radar, because I was busy fighting therapists, health insurance, government agencies etc., not to mention the whole coming out) and was so happy when I saw a familiar face in the post credit scene: Soap.

I started to worry if the game would live up to the hype. But not only did it feel exactly like it felt back then. It felt even better. Mainly - for me - because it felt like picking up a part of myself I thought I'd lost. It felt like reclaiming a part of me that didn't quite feel like me back then (I suppose that doesn't make much sense to anyone but me).

Playing again as Soap reminded me of how far I've come. It was like reaching out to that younger person I was back in 2007, saying "see? this is who you're supposed to be. we made it".

Recently I've started to roleplay again. Spinning stories with other people, writing from the point of view of their favorite character. Writing as Soap, I want to make people happy. Because he is the ray of sunshine we all need.

And with the ending of the new MW3 we need it even more.

The point I'm trying to make is: I don't think people can ever overestimate how much fictional characters can mean to people. Sometimes they help us through tough phases of our lives, like a close friend. Sometimes they point out a strength in us we didn't know we had. And when they're gone, they leave a hole.

I now have to continue my way without Soap once again. Even though he will live on in the fandom. I'll still be roleplaying, writing stories, maybe putting together a proper cosplay.

In the past months, Soap brought me on a better path. I've started to workout again and to better take care of myself. Because life is now. I've even started to learn Gaelic just for the sake of it. Because I love languages.

I've always wanted to visit Scotland ever since I made my own money. Never did, sadly. Maybe that's something I'll do in the near future, too. Thanks to Soap.

That and getting a very funny tattoo to honour the memory, which I might reveal once I got it.

Of course my thanks go out to all the people who worked at the game. But a special thanks also goes to Neil, who brought our dear Soap to life. Who gave him a personality he didn't have back in 2007.

And who encouraged people to express their love for this character by sharing their work on his channel. Who even humoured us when it comes to the idea of a "less professional" relationship between Ghost and Soap.

Neil, you will never know how much this meant to us. You'll always be our Soap.

[doctorstrangereview]

Strange Tales #126

Cover Date: November 1964 On-Sale Date: August 11, 1964

It all changes here! In celebration, Doc reclaims some cover real estate and the blurb even depicts a scene from the story. What changes? Doc meets Dormammu! Up until this moment, Dormammu has simply been one of the funky names Doc calls on to put the whammy on his foes. Also, until now, most of his foes haven't been all that impressive on power level with Nightmare and Loki being the possible exceptions. And Doc doesn't call on either to power up. Dormammu is on whole other level.

Our story continues immediately after Doc's battle with Baron Mordo last issue. We see his astral body returning to his physical body. Now, Mordo's body should be in the house as well, but that never gets addressed. He must have gotten out somehow; we definitely haven't seen the last of him. No sooner than getting up from his comfy, funky chair (sadly, not the one with the dragon head), he's in the grip of a powerful spell, without his consent, that manifests itself as a floppy white and yellow bullseye. There's a nice touch from Ditko. Doc goes in the top of the bullseye and at the spell's terminus, The Ancient One's pad, he comes out the bottom. It even has a funky curl, like it's squeezing him out.

The Ancient One is dressed today in a fine frock. The original coloring is red, but the Masterworks recoloring makes it a vivid fuchsia. Once again I prefer the recoloring. Today's crown has less ostentatious horns that the last story but the detail is more intricate. The Ancient One makes a ghost thing visible to Doc just as it leaves. Doc prepares himself to jump to the old guy's defense, but he's like "Don't worry about it, he's just a messenger of the Dread Dormammu. Oh, by the way, Dormammu is gonna invade our dimension and take over. I just got back from being Mordo's captive and haven't had my old man nap yet. Can you deal with this?"

"Sure thing, daddio! Send me!" And Doc disappears into some whirling and hairy dots. Perhaps this is Ditko's answer to Kirby Crackle. The next thing Doc knows he's somewhere else, floating through a ring of smoke and heading toward a nasty beastie indeed. The smoke ring is a nice call back to the splash page!

The as-yet-unnamed nasty beasty is the G'uranthic Guardian who will show up here and again. I don't know if this is actually a living being or some magical construct that guard's Dormammu's "palace." Doc approaches the nasty beastie who looks down on him and shoots out some light that probes his brain, without his consent. It's a test of some kind that Doc passes and the cool six-sided doors open for him. He steps through, and we get get our first look at how bat-crap crazy Ditko makes this very brightly lit "dark" dimension.

That's right, the other side of this door is floating in nothing and Doc is walking along a floating ribbon all curled up. Nightmare's realm was weird, but this is drug-trippy crazy! What was Ditko on? This imagery continues throughout the story, so get yourself a copy if you want to see it all.

Next, we get our first glimpse of Dormammu. He doesn't quite look like his popular image yet. For one, he's wearing a two-tone green thing with funky shoulder accoutrements and not the purple we're used to seeing him in. His head isn't surrounded by flames, but smoke and his head is blue, instead of red. He only has a hint of eyes. He's also sitting in a funky throne. We will later learn this is the Azure Throne and it is almost never depicted as blue.

Dormammu is like "WTF? Who the hell is this? Where's The Ancient One?" One of the sychophants surrounding Dormammu isn't toadying up enough and dares to question Dormammu's ability to instantly wipe out the mortal and he instantly imprisons them until he doesn't feel like it anymore.

Meanwhile, Doc is facing a series of challenges as he moves toward the big bad. His first challenge is a little yellow creature who feeds on spells. Doc figures this out quickly and feeds him until he pops like a balloon. This is being watched by a certain silver-haired lady. Yes! We are finally introduced to the as-yet-unnamed Clea. At first he thinks this is The Ancient One returning, but realizes it can't be "for he is young -- and fair to behold!" While Clea's libido gets fired up, Doc is drawn into some object that looks like a flying magic carpet. "Oh well," thinks Clea, "better luck next time."

Doc defeats a bunch more of Dormammu's minion who appear before him. Dormie's not happy. He banishes them to limbo.

Dormammu is like "Enough of this! If you need something done, you just gotta do it yourself. Bring it on, earther!" Clea senses things are coming to a head and decides to shout about it.

The entrance Dormie conjures for Doc is just bizarre. It's like a big sheet of paper with a mini, desaturated bifrost coming out of it. Clea attempts to warn him off, but Doc proceeds to the ominous assignation. Doc finally confronts Dormie at last! "I won't kill you until the Ancient One shows up." Doc replies "Nah! You gotta deal with me." "No really, send in the Ancient One." "Nope. It's gonna be me." "You're funeral, blue dude!"

And we break here until next month. Last month was great, but this is just freaking crazy! Ditko is in top form here. Who knows how many pencils were ground to little nubs to draw these 10 pages? Visually, it's spectacular. Ditko had spent a number of stories with lazy backgrounds, but he must have been saving it up for this story. Dormammu's motivation for invading earth isn't exactly original, but it starts a great story. There isn't really anything in the way of plot holes. It doesn't mess with continuity. And it's the springboard of a new era where the villains are more powerful and the stakes are greater. I can't wait for part two!

[son1c]

Shadow no :’(

Maybe I’m jumping the gun here, but how is Shadow after he’s presumably rescued? Seems like that would leave a mark on a guy :(((

he'll never look at salad the same way again </3

nah but fr he's been better. immediately after being rescued and separated from the hivemind, he's honestly a little scared. like, it's so quiet, and he doesn't feel relief; he feels fear. you know? he hasn't been able--allowed?--to think for himself in a long time, so his first reaction is panic. what happened? where is everyone?

sonic sees him start to panic and is like woah buddy take it easy, you're safe now, those weeds can't get you here.

and shadow flinches, cuz he's not used to hearing someone ELSE talk. talk out loud. with their mouth. because plants don't HAVE mouths. they would just tell him what to do with their brains directly. but they're not here. they're not here, and he...

he doesn't have to listen to them anymore?

it's still quiet, shadow realizes. it's just him.

but if it's true, and he can do what he wants again, then that raises another question: what does he want to do, anyway? eat people? n... no, that's what the plants wanted. get revenge on the space colony for what gerald did? no, that's... also what the plants wanted.

he takes a breath. no vines appear to choke it out of him.

his fear is ebbing.

then the relief sets in. when he finally calms down enough to take in his surroundings. it's not green, like he'd become so accustomed to. like his world had been smothered in. now, it's blue. there's so much water. and he finally sees sonic (who by this point looks very worried).

shadow remembers what he wants. and it's so twisted, cuz he remembers his world was shattered. a horrible situation, everyone and everything he's ever known is gone and might never return--but that's just it. he wants to get it all back. he wants to fix his world. and he's so relieved to reclaim that goal, because it was taken from him by the plants. no matter how horrible his situation... at least he knows that it's his own.

[asocial-lobster]

Voiceless Screams

Wind's ear flickered uncertainly. He thought he'd heard something, perhaps a twig snapping or a rustle of leaves, but it was difficult to be certain with the others milling around in the camp. His brothers weren't exactly known for their stealthiness, at least not in their downtime.

He got to his feet and stretched, shaking his head when he got a questioning look from Warriors. The captain had a tendency to obsess over their safety, never truly able to relax even when there were no monsters in sight. Wind wouldn't worry him with this before he was sure there was something to worry about.

He stepped around Sky and Twilight – the two completely enamored by their wrestling match – and in between the trees. The forest they were currently hiking through was dense. It had been impossible to find a clearing for their camp, but they'd found a spot which had relatively fewer trees. Outside of their campsite, the forest reclaimed the territory, and he had to brush thick branches out of the way in order to pass.

Wind stopped and turned his head from side to side in the hopes of hearing whatever had caught his attention in the first place. Now that he had put some distance between himself and the others, the origin of the sound was obvious. A nearby bush shook, the leaves crinkling against each other.

He crept closer to the offending shrubbery, hand crawling towards the hilt of his sword. He jumped around the bush, ready to strike ... and found a very startled Wild on the other side.

For a moment, they could only stare at each other. The champion wasn't looking too good, Wind immediately noticed, his "big-brother-senses" (as Wars had affectionally dubbed them) tingling.

Wild's body was shaking uncontrollably. He had clasped his hands around his arms, fingers pressing into the skin so forcefully Wind could already see it would bruise. He had a haunted look in his eyes, one that the sailor had only seen on his brothers when they came out of a violent nightmare. But while evening was fast approaching, it was nowhere near late enough for Wild to have been bothered by dreams.

"Are you okay, Wild?" he asked, eyes already darting back to camp as he wondered if he should go get Twilight. "Did you have a memory?"

Wild shook his head miserably. It was unclear which of the questions he was replying to.

Wind sat down in front of him.

"Maybe it gets better if you talk about it," he suggested.

Wild shook his head. He unclasped one of his hands from his arm – leaving angry, red marks behind – and touched it to his throat, something desperate in his eyes.

"You can't talk about it?" Wind guessed.

Wild nodded, and a fresh wave of tears welled into his eyes.

"That's okay!" Wind reassured. "I can do the talking if you want! And I know sign, if that's more comfortable for you!"

Wild shrugged.

"Okay, if you get overwhelmed by my voice, you can just tap the ground twice. Then I'll switch to sign," he said. He let his gaze wander as he thought. "Hmm. What to talk about ... oh! I can tell you about Aryll's birthday! It was almost right before I met you guys."

Wind threw himself into a longer story about how Aryll had desperately wanted a pet seagull for her birthday, and no matter how their grandma – and literally everyone else – tried to persuade her they were awful pets, she wouldn't budge. So, Wind had, as the wonderful brother he was, spent all day catching one on the beach. Which, predictably, hadn't gone very well. He had been forced to hide beneath the wooden landing of the dock as a swarm of pissed off birds dive-bombed him. In the end, Aryll hadn't gotten a bird for her birthday, but she had taken several pictures of Wind's bird-catching-adventure, and those were worth just as much as the actual bird, she claimed. To Wind's dismay, she had hung them up on her wall and liked showing them off to visitors.

Wild listened with rapt attention, his hold on his arms slowly relaxing until he was just hugging himself.

"I don't even know why she wanted a bird in the first place," Wind complained. "You would think being kidnapped by one would make her just a little cautious, but nope! Aryll doesn't know what caution is."

'I didn't think you knew what caution is either,' Wild signed with a small smile, finally letting go of his poor arms. The signs were a little shaky, but easily legible, nonetheless.

"I know what caution is!" Wind protested. "Besides, you don't get to lecture me about caution after that stunt with the moblin!"

'Fair point,' Wild conceded. 'I'm sorry about that, by the way. I shouldn't have jumped in front of you.'  

Wind smiled. "It's okay, I forgive you." He leaned back against his hands, his expression turning more serious. "It's just that people always treat me like a child. And yeah, I am a child, but I'm also the hero of Hyrule. I can handle myself; I don't need to be coddled."

'Sorry,' Wild repeated. 'Truth is ... I never got the chance to be a child myself. I was very young when I started training to become a knight, and when I found the Master Sword, everyone started talking about how I was supposed to save Hyrule.'

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair before continuing. The long, golden strands tangled behind his ear, and he irritably shook his head.

"I bet you can get Wars to help you with that," Wind suggested.

Wild shrugged. 'Maybe later.'

He gave up on untangling the hair.

'Anyway, then I took up the bodyguard-thing, and it became a sort of reflex to get between the monster and whoever I was protecting. I suppose that's why I tried to take that hit for you. I didn't even stop to think you could have handled it yourself.'

Wind frowned. "That's not healthy. You can protect us without recklessly jumping in front of an attacking monster, dummy. Also, you don't have to save us all the time. Let us save you sometimes, too."

Wild stared at him with a slightly amazed look in his eyes.

"What?"

'I'm just ... not used to people looking at it that way.' 

"What do you mean?"

Wild shrugged and averted his eyes.

'In my Hyrule, it's always been my responsibility to save everyone else.'

"Well, that's stupid," Wind decided. "So you better stop doing that. This is a team effort."

Wild grinned. 'I'll try to remember that.'

He looked down, smile faltering.

'It's why I stopped talking, actually. There was a lot of pressure on me to be perfect, and that was the easiest way to pretend to be.'

"That also why you can't talk today?"

Wild nodded. 'It's gotten better, but sometimes I relapse. It's really frustrating when it happens. It feels like … I've been muzzled for so long my voice disappeared.'

There was something bitter in his expression when he continued. ‘Spend enough time as the king’s attack dog, and that’s all you’ll ever be.’

"But things are better in your Hyrule now, right? The people who did this to you aren't there anymore?"

Wild looked away, and Wind realized with a sinking feeling what he'd said.

"Sorry," he whispered. "That was insensitive."

The champion looked back at him after a beat of silence.

'No, it's okay. You're right, they aren't there anymore.' 

“And that’s not your fault,” Wind stressed.

The older boy didn’t have an answer for that, and Wind knew why: he didn’t believe it. Wild sighed.

‘Sometimes I feel like I could scream in frustration,’ he changed the subject.

“Well, why don’t you?”

‘What?’

“Scream. It’s good for you. I do it all the time when I feel stressed out. Look, like this.”

Wind tilted his head back and let loose a high-pitched screech which had Wild staring at him with wide and slightly terrified eyes.

Wind grinned. He’d always won his screaming contests with Aryll for a reason.

“Now you try,” he beckoned.

Wild looked at him with uncertainty in his eyes. The pirate nodded encouragingly. Slowly, the knight began imitating him. His scream was more akin to a howl, but it was there. Wind answered with his own, his brother joining the chorus shortly after.

Wind stopped to catch his breath, laughing.

“See? Screaming is great! It always makes me feel better!” he said between wheezes. Wild chuckled hoarsely at his side.

A loud noise made Wind turn around. Warriors had skidded into sight, nearly crashing into a tree in his hurry to arrive. He was shortly followed by the rest of their brothers, all breathless from their sprint.

“What’s wrong?!” Warriors gasped. “We heard you scream…”

He narrowed his eyes as he looked around and saw no immediate threat.

“We’re just screaming,” Wind replied like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The captain frowned. “Why in Hylia’s name…?”

“It’s good for your soul,” the sailor said matter-of-factly.

“I don’t think that’s-”

“No, he’s right,” Four said. “It’s very relaxing. Though some prefer howling.”

The smithy smiled like he’d made a joke Wind wasn’t privy to understanding.

“Won’t it attract monsters?” Hyrule asked.

“I don’t think so,” Time said, a small smile pulling at his lips. “There aren’t nearly as many monsters here as in your era, Hyrule, even with the black-blooded ones.”

Four readily plopped down next to Wind and Wild, and Hyrule followed, though a little more slowly.

“How do you do it?” he asked. “Do you just … scream?”

“Yup!” Wind said. “You should all try it!”

Some of the older heroes looked a little hesitant, but they joined in after a little prompting from the energetic sailor. Time was the last to give in. He caught Wind’s eyes and blinked. Then he released a shriek unlike any sound Wind had ever heard before.

Eight startled stares turned to look at the older hero, who smiled innocently. Legend was the first to speak.

“What the fuck was that, Old Man?!”

Wind stared with big eyes. He had finally found someone who could beat him in a screaming contest, it seemed. Twilight looked almost petrified next to him, staring at Time like he’d never seen him before.

Wind laughed; he couldn’t help it. “And people say my scream is loud,” he exclaimed. “I’ve seen redeads who couldn’t scream like that!”

Laughs broke out around the circle. The group had fought a bunch of redeads from the Great Sea only a few days before, and the absolutely awful sound the monsters made was still fresh in their minds.

Wind shot a glance at Wild. The champion looked almost relaxed as he laughed with them. He still hadn’t spoken, but that didn’t concern Wind much. He could speak when he felt ready. For now, it was enough that he was doing better. And if some of the other heroes could release some of the tension they had been carrying by screaming a little? Well, that would just be a bonus.

Grinning wildly, Wind tilted his head back and screeched.

[tgrailwar-zero]

*bows*

Thank you Rikyu for your understanding and please pass along our sincere gratitude to Koma for staying your hand. Our earnest goal right now is to aid the Solar Cell in its fight against the Titan so that the Heavenly Deity need not wake and thus the humanity both within and without the Solar Cell may stay safe. Even if the rage was not our own, we were still the instruments it used to wreck destruction across this burgeoning land and so we pursue that goal to atone. In the name of full transparency, we also hope to reclaim at least the memories of who we were before we were made into a tool and perhaps even find a way to separate back into individual people.

RIKYU: "Very well then. If this 'Titan' is the one that is responsible for snuffing out so many innocent souls, then this 'Titan' will face the 'Blackness' within Rikyu, and we have a common enemy."

RIKYU: "However, the bout is in the morning, so we'd best rest ourselves."

With that, you gently guided by RIKYU back to the streets of the Megalopolis. MUSASHI approached, looking clearly a bit worried.

MUSASHI: "God, there you all are! I could feel my tether to you get real strained- what happened?"

She squinted at you, before sighing.

MUSASHI: "...Okay. We're going back. You've got a 'we just had a harrowing experience and we're mentally exhausted' energy about you, and I wouldn't want to exacerbate it. So let's just… get you back. We can chat about it in the morning."

It wasn't a long walk back to the hotel. The ritzy atmosphere was either relaxing or even more stuffy, depending on your perspective of things. Luckily, MUSASHI remembered the Room number for the key, and stuck close to you as she guided you down the hallway. You stopped at the door as she knocked.

MUSASHI: "Huh? Is Little Miss Empress not here?"

She put her hands on her hips, and then on her swords, as if considering cutting the door open. However, reason kicked in and she simply decided to walk back to the lobby with you to wait.

After a few minutes, you heard the gentle sound of snoring down the hallway and saw three figures approaching.

'LITTLE GUY': "Uooahh… zz…."

NERO: "Ah. You're back. I hope you weren't waiting outside for too long."

MUSASHI: "You two look nice. Well, Rider's dressed all dapper as usual, but you're… phew. Well, I better keep my thoughts to myself."

CONSTANTINE: "Antecessor Nero and I went out to investigate the city with the little one. He fell asleep about halfway through, though."

NERO: "Alas, with the little one in tow, I couldn't engage in some of the more… enticing vices presented by the city. However, it was a fine way of getting a feel for the locale."

CONSTANTINE: "Right. We met someone, 'Duryodhana', was his name. He had apparently met you all earlier in one of the casinos."

NERO: "We began discussing the upcoming Bout. You all were planning on registering, right? That man, 'Duryodhana', claimed that he would be a shoe-in for victory. I disagreed, and Constantinus made a wager before things got out of hand."

CONSTANTINE: "It's a rather simple gamble. If you place second, he promised us an audience with the Pharaoh. If you place first, then he'll grant an audience, and provide us with what he declared is a 'worthwhile prize'. If we don't fulfill either one of those goals, then we'll owe him a favor."

As the RIDER and the CASTER explained themselves, you walked back to the room, NERO fishing a key out from... well, somewhere, and using it to open the door.

MUSASHI: "Ooooh, making bets on the Master's behalf? Rather careless of you, isn't it?"

CONSTANTINE: "It's not ideal, but I figured the odds were in our favor. That, and it was the only way to swiftly de-escalate the argument. If I've overstepped, I can find Duryodhana in the morning and tell him that the deal is off."

He sighed, adjusting the child on his back.

CONSTANTINE: "…I'm going to put this one to bed. You all should rest as well. Nero says there should be enough rooms for everyone, at least with our group split as it is. See you in the morning, Masters."

With that, CONSTANTINE walked up the stairs to the suite, cradling the LITTLE GUY in his arms. You felt the magical 'tug' from his presence lighten slightly, but not go entirely slack. With the type of person your RIDER was, he was most likely finding a good position to keep vigil, either over the room or the building, you weren't sure.

MUSASHI: "That's not a terrible idea. I think I'll just meditate in my Spirit Form, though. Night, Masters! Let's kick some butt tomorrow, okay?"

Like the wind, she vanished. The only one left being the CASTER.

NERO: "…"

The Emperor stared at you for a moment, as if trying to discern something. Whether she found what she was looking for or not, she smiled and lightly clapped her hands together.

NERO: "I'm going to bed. If you require something of me, at least knock first so that I may make myself decent. Or not, I have no shame in my body. Either way... goodnight, my Ensemble. Sweet dreams."

You watched her walk up the steps, claiming a room to herself.

It was quiet now. Really just you and your collective barrage of thoughts. Even with the big day tomorrow, it seemed like there was a lot riding on your shoulders. The Solar Cell, the Void Cell, your past… question… after question… after question. You could feel exhaustion on your shoulders, though it wasn't that deep into the night.

You found your way into a room, and for the first time in what seemed like a long time, had an actually restful night's sleep.

Which was good. Because you felt as if you were going to have a VERY busy few days coming up with the Flaming Bout.